Roll retainer and fiber chopper

ABSTRACT

A chopper for chopping continuous items like fiber, fiber strand, yarn, string, wire, tape or ribbon, etc. which enters the chopper in unwound form at a high linear speed is disclosed having improvements that permit the chopper to tilt to change the angle of discharge of the chopped item(s). Also disclosed is a fast acting roll retainer and a chopper having the fast acting roll retainer that permits a backup roll and a blade roll to be removed and replaced in a faster and less damaging manner. Methods of chopping and changing rolls on an apparatus using the disclosed apparatus are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

The present invention involves an improved chopper for choppingcontinuous or very long fiber, fiber strands, yarn, string, wire,ribbon, tape and the like comprising a backup roll and a blade roll.More specifically, the present invention involves a chopper having anovel quick release knock off-knock on roll retainer for the rolls thatmust be frequently changed, and means for tilting the chopper to changethe angle of discharge of the chopped strand, etc.

It has long been known how to chop continuous fibers or fiber strandsinto short lengths of about 3 inches or shorter. More than a billionpounds of such products including chopped glass fibers and fiber strandsare produced each year in processes and chopping apparatus like thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,837; 4,398,934; 3,508,461; and3,869,268. The choppers disclosed in these patents comprise a blade rollcontaining a plurality of spaced-apart blades for separating the fibersinto short lengths, a backup roll, frequently driven, which the bladeswork against to effect the separation and which pulls the fibers orfiber strands, often using an idler roll to hold the fibers or fiberstrands down onto the surface of the backup roll. In the chopped fiberprocesses disclosed in these patents, the chopper is usually the mostproductivity limiting equipment in the processes that typically operatecontinuously every day of the year, 24 hours each day. Therefore,improvements in the chopper that allow the chopper to pull and chopfaster, allow longer times between maintenance shutdowns, and/or to pulland chop more fibers or fiber strands at a time have an extremelypositive impact on productivity and production costs.

Due to wear, the blade roll and backup roll on each chopper must bechanged frequently with the actual life between changes depending uponthe type of item being chopped. The life typically ranges between 4 and24 hours or more, but a defect in a blade or the elastomer layer on thebackup roll can cause even shorter life. Due to their tightness on theirspindles and the tacky chemical sizing from the fiber that gets on allexposed parts, it has been necessary to strike the old blade rolls andold backup rolls with a hammer or a heavy bar to loosen them from theirspindles before they could be removed for replacement with new rolls.This hammering damages the rolls and in time knocks them out ofalignment causing vibration and premature replacement. These areexpensive problems for the industry considering that there are hundredsof fiber choppers in operation.

Another problem with fiber choppers when chopping wet fiber having atacky chemical sizing on the surface of the fibers is that the stream offibers will, depending on factors such as moisture content and thedegree of tackiness of the sizing, leave the chopper at differentangles. This presents a problem in catching the fiber with a conveyorbelt due to the limited space in the fiber forming rooms where the fiberis formed and chopped and results in some fiber being thrown off theconveyor and onto the floor causing scrap and a housekeeping problem.This problem is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,897 and the problem isaddressed in that patent by designing the chopper such that the positionof the blade roll can be changed to contact the backup roll in differentlocations. While this may change the angle of discharge of the choppedfiber, it greatly complicates the design and is a costly solution. Asimpler, less costly solution has been needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an improved chopper that comprises abackup roll and a blade roll, each roll being mounted on a spindle witha novel fast acting knock off/knock on roll retainer for holding theblade roll and/or the backup roll in place and for pulling the roll(s)loose from its spindle. This roll retainer assembly comprises a spinnerattached to a stub shaft at or near one end, the stub shaft havingengaging means that will engage with the spindle for the roll, a lockingcup surrounding the stub shaft and free to rotate around the stub shaft,the locking cup having a depression therein with an opening facing awayfrom the spinner, a lock-ring or collar surrounding the stub shaft andresiding in the depression in the locking cup, the lock-ring being fixedto the stub shaft. The roll retainer also comprises a locking plateattached to the open end of the lock cup, the locking plate having twoor more slots therein for allowing heads of shoulder bolts that arefastened to the blade roll and/or backup roll at locations spaced fromthe axis of the roll to pass into or through the slots in a wide portionof the slots. At least one end portion of each slot is narrower than theheads are wide such that the heads cannot pass through the narrower endportion(s) of the slots.

Preferably the assembly also includes a thrust washer or a lubricatedwasher around the stub shaft and between the spinner and the lock cup toenhance the tightening and loosening of the spinner. Preferably the rollretainer also comprises a lubricated thrust washer in the bottom of thedepression in the lock cup to enhance relative movement under stressbetween the locking ring and the lock cup. Also, preferably the roll hastwo or more shoulder bolts circumferentially spaced around the opening,most preferably equidistant from each other and from the axis of theroll. This chopper can also comprise means on or attached to the chopperfor lifting one side of the chopper to tilt the chopper to change anangle of discharge of an array of chopped product discharging from thechopper.

The present invention also includes a fast acting roll or wheel retainercomprising:

a) a cylindrical stub shaft having one end portion threaded,

b) a locking ring having a spaced apart parallel surface perpendicularto and surrounding the stub shaft and being either integral with thestub shaft or being rigidly attached to the stub shaft,

c) a spinner having one or more handles, the spinner being located at ornear an end of the stub shaft opposite the end that is threaded, thespinner being either integral with the stub shaft or rigidly attached tothe stub shaft,

d) a lock cup having a bottom and an open top, the bottom of the lockingcup having a hole therein and surrounding the stub shaft in a ratablemanner at a location between the two ends of the stub shaft, the opentop of the locking cup being closest to the threaded end of the stubshaft, and

e) a locking plate attached to the open end of the lock cup, the lockingplate having a hole therethrough for the stub shaft to reside in arotatable manner, the locking plate having one or more slot openings atleast partially therethrough and spaced from the hole for the stubshaft, each slot opening having a wide portion and a narrower portion,one face of the locking plate being compatible with an engaging face onthe roll or wheel and the area on an opposite face around the narrowerportion of each slot being compatible to engage a bottom surface of anenlarged head of one or more projections extending from an outboardsurface of said roll.

The present invention also includes a method of removing a used roll andreplacing it with a new or repaired roll, each roll having an openingaround its axis and at least two shoulder bolts with enlarged headsspaced from its axis and protruding from a face of the roll, on achopper, or other apparatus, having a spindle with threads on a workingend using a novel knock on/knock off roll retainer assembly thatcomprises a spinner attached to a stub shaft at or near one end, thestub shaft having engaging means that will engage with the spindle, alock cup surrounding the stub shaft and free to rotate around the stubshaft, the lock cup having a depression therein with an opening facingaway from the spinner, a lock ring or collar surrounding the stub shaftand residing in the depression in the lock cup, the lock ring beingfixed to the stub shaft and a locking plate attached to the open end ofthe lock cup, the locking plate having one or more slots therein forallowing heads of projections fastened to the blade roll and/or backuproll at locations spaced from the axis of the roll to pass through awide, central portion of each slot, at least one end portion of eachslot being narrower than the heads are wide such that the heads cannotpass into or through the narrower end portion(s) of the slots,comprising the steps of:

a) rotating the spinner in a direction to back the stub shaft off aspindle having a threaded portion such that an outer face of the lockingplate which is in contact with the enlarged heads of the shoulder boltswill pull the used roll loose from the spindle without damaging theroll,

b) rotating the locking plate such that the wide portion of the slotsalign with the enlarged heads of the shoulder bolts,

c) rotating the spinner to back the stub shaft off of the spindle whilepreventing the locking plate from rotating and removing the roll,

d) placing a new or repaired roll onto the spindle such that a portionof the spindle is in the opening of the roll and such that the two ormore projections are facing away from the chopper or other apparatus,

e) threading the threaded stub shaft of the roll retainer assembly ontothe spindle,

f) aligning the slots in the locking plate so that the wide portion ofthe slots align with the enlarged heads of the shoulder bolts on theroll,

g) rotating the spinner to move the stub shaft further onto the spindlewhile maintaining the alignment of the slots as described in (f) aboveuntil the lock plate is against a hub of the roll and the roll is snuglyin place on the spindle, and then backing off the stub shaft by rotatingthe spinner in the opposite direction about 5 to about 180 degrees,

h) rotating the locking plate until the end of the slots at the narrowerend portion engage the shoulder bolts, and

i) rotating the spinner to move the stub shaft onto the spindle theamount backed off in step (g) and then knocking the spinner or aprojection on the spinner to tighten the roll on the spindle.

The present invention also includes a chopper for separating long fiber,fiber strands, string, wire, tape or ribbon into short pieces anddischarging the short pieces in a direction away from the chopper, thechopper comprising a blade roll, a backup roll and a frame, theimprovement comprising means for varying the elevation of one end of theframe of the chopper for the purpose of changing the angle of dischargeof the short pieces from the chopper or for maintaining the angle ofdischarge the same when a different item is fed into the chopper, i.e.an item which has a different tendency to adhere to the elastomer layeron the backup roll. The means for varying the elevation is preferably ajack screw, but can be any known compact means of lifting including agas cushion lifting device, a fluid cylinder lifting device, amechanical lever type lifting device similar to a bumper jack with lock,a chain hoist or winch mounted above the chopper frame, and otherequivalent lifting devices or shimming means.

Preferably, the lower side of the chopper opposite the lifting means ispivotly mounted to a foot or feet that is/are bolted to the floor orotherwise equipped so that the feet won't slide along the floor when theopposite end is raised by the lifting means. The chopper can be anychopper having a backup roll and a blade roll including the improvedchopper using the novel roll retainer described above.

The present invention also includes a chopper for chopping itemsselected from the group consisting of fibers, fiber strand, yarn,string, wire, and ribbon, tape that enter the chopper in an unwound format a high linear speed into an array of short lengths, the chopperhaving an upstream side and a downstream side and a blade roll and abackup roll, the improvement comprising: a second framework or an innerframe or member on which the chopper is mounted, the second framework orinner frame or member being pivotly supported near one side of thechopper by a first framework or an outer frame surrounding at least apart of the second framework or inner frame or member, and lifting meansattached to an opposite side of the chopper, said opposite side of thechopper being opposite the side that is near where said inner frame ispivotly supported.

The present invention also includes a method of separating long lengthsof items such as fiber, fiber strands, string, wire, tape or ribbon intoshort pieces by passing the items continuously into a nip between arotating blade roll and a rotating backup roll of a chopper whereby theitem is separated into short pieces which are discharged from thechopper in an array having a direction, the improvement comprisingchanging the elevation of one end of the chopper with respect to anopposite end of the chopper to change the direction of the array ofshort pieces.

When the word “about” is used herein, it is meant that the amount orcondition it modifies can vary some beyond that so long as theadvantages of the invention are realized. Practically, there is rarelythe time or resources available to very precisely determine the limitsof all the parameters of one's invention because to do so would requirean effort far greater than can be justified at the time the invention isbeing developed to a commercial reality. The skilled artisan understandsthis and expects that the disclosed results of the invention mightextend, at least somewhat, beyond one or more of the limits disclosed.Later, having the benefit of the inventor's disclosure and understandingthe inventive concept and embodiments disclosed, including the best modeknown to the inventor, the inventor and others can, without inventiveeffort, explore beyond the limits disclosed to determine if theinvention is realized beyond those limits and, when embodiments arefound to be without unexpected characteristics, those embodiments arewithin the meaning of the term “about” as used herein. It is notdifficult for the skilled artisan or others to determine whether such anembodiment is either as might be expected or, because of either a breakin the continuity of results or one or more features that aresignificantly better than reported by the inventor, is surprising andthus an unobvious teaching leading to a further advance in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical prior art chopper.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a chopper according to the present inventionand also shows in phantom the chopper in a tilted position according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the chopper shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a partial expanded front view of a backup roll having a knockon/knock off roll retainer shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial expanded side view of a backup roll, spindle, andthe knock on/knock off retainer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of another embodiment of the inventionrelated for tilting the chopper.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of still another embodiment of theinvention for tilting the chopper.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred chopper base for tilting thechopper showing in phantom a portion of the chopper mounted on the base.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred base shown in FIG. 7 which alsoshows part of the chopper mounted thereon.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment which is amodification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment which isanother modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art chopper 2 comprising a front plate 4attached to a structural frame (not shown) with a foot 5 at each corner,a blade roll 6 having spaced blades 7 protruding from its periphery. Abackup roll 8 comprised of a hub 9, preferably with cutouts and spokes,a rim 10 and an elastomer layer 11 on the rim 10 for the blades 7 towork against. The hub 9 can be continuous or solid with no cutouts oropen spaces since the cutouts or open spaces are for the purpose ofreducing the weight of either roll.

The continuous or long item(s) 12, for example fiber strands, to bechopped or separated are held against the elastomer layer 11 of thebackup roll 8 with an idler roll 13 which permits the rotating backuproll 8 to pull the item(s) 12 into the chopper 2 and on into the nip 14between the blade roll 6 and the elastomer layer 11, usually at highlinear speeds, 1000 or more feet per minute off-line and 2000 or moreft./min. on-line, which chops or separates the item(s) 12 into shortlengths 15, such as chopped fiber strands. When the chopper 2 is workingon loose items 12 like fibers, fiber strands, yarn, string or wire, theindividual strands, etc. are typically separated from each other andguided onto the elastomer layer 11 with a separator or guide roll 16.The blade roll 6 and the backup roll 8 are mounted on spindles 17, 18respectively and are held tight onto these spindles with large nuts 19,20 respectively. Choppers of this type are well known and are more fullydescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,837; 4,398,934; 3,508,461; and3,869,268, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 2 shows chopper 2 modified according to the present inventionhaving a novel, fast acting knock on/knock off roll retainer assembly Aholding the blade roll 6 and the backup roll 8 onto their respectivespindles 17 and 18, and preferably also comprising a chopper tiltingassembly B. The roll retention assembly A can be used on either one ofthe blade roll 6 or the backup roll 8, and preferably is used on both.Preferably one lower end of the chopper opposite the tilting assembly Bis mounted in a pivoting manner on one or preferably two legs 21 on afloor mount or plate 64, preferably with brackets 22 attached to abottom side of the chopper and connected to the legs 21 with pins 23 toallow the chopper 2 to be tilted by the tilting assembly B which will bedescribed in detail later. Preferably, the floor mount 64 has four feet39 to allow prongs of a conventional walking lift truck to move underthe floor mount 64 to lift and move the chopper 2.

The roll retainer assembly A is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 and iscomprised of a spinner 24, preferably having at least one handle 25 andmost preferably two or three handles 25. The spinner 24 is integral withor rigidly attached at or near one end of a stub shaft 26 which isthreaded on an end portion 27, preferably on the outside of the endportion 27 of the stub shaft 26, however in an alternative embodimentthe stub shaft 26 could be a pipe and could be threaded on the inside ofthe pipe. In the latter embodiment, the stub shaft 26 would fit over athreaded end of a spindle.

The roll retainer A also comprises a locking plate 28 having at leastone, and preferably three, slots 29 therein that extend at leastpartially and preferably completely through the thickness of the lockingplate 28 and also having a circular hole 30 of a diameter sufficient toslip around the stub shaft 26 and preferably also an end 32 of thespindle 34 for either the backup roll 8 or the blade roll 6. Since theroll retainer A is usable on both the blade roll 6 and the blade roll 8,the term roll or roll 6,8 will be used hereafter to mean either roll.

A centerline of each slot 29 is preferably an arc, being a radius of theaxis of the stub shaft 26. Each slot 29 is also spaced from an outerperiphery of the hole 30 and has a wide portion 35 and at least onenarrower end portion 36. Preferably, each slot 29 has a narrower endportion 36 on each end of the wide portion 35, as shown in FIG. 3.

Preferably the locking plate 28 is circular with the spinner 24 rigidlyattached to and centered on the stub shaft 26, the latter protrudingthrough the hole 30 in the locking plate 28 such that the spinner 24 isspaced from an outboard face 37 of the locking plate 28 and the endportion 27 of the stub shaft 26 being spaced from an inboard face 38 ofthe locking plate 28. The outboard face 37 of the locking plate 28should be parallel to the inboard face 38 of the locking plate 28, atleast in an area adjacent to the narrow end portion(s) 36 of the slots29.

The locking plate 28 is bolted to a locking cup 40 that surrounds thestub shaft 26 between the spinner 24 and the locking plate 28,preferably with a plurality of socket head cap screws 42, the heads ofwhich are recessed in the inboard face 38 of the locking plate 28. Thelocking cup 40 has a circular hole 44 having a diameter slightly largerthan the diameter of the stub shaft 26 and completely through its bottomsurface 41 so that the locking cup 40 can rotate around the stub shaft26. The locking cup 40 is oriented on the stub shaft 26 such that itsbottom 41 is close to the spinner 24 and its top surface butts againstthe outboard face 37 of the locking plate 28.

Optionally, but preferably, a thrust washer or pre-lubricated washer 46surrounds the stub shaft 26 in a loose and rotatable manner between thespinner 24 and an exterior bottom surface 43 of the locking cup 40 toallow the spinner 24 and the stub shaft 26 to more easily rotate, whileunder stress and while the exterior bottom of the cup 40 remainsstationary. A suitable washer for this purpose is an oil impregnatedbronze thrust type washer. Other thrust washers can be used so long asthey don't deform excessively under the load to cause binding to thebottom exterior surface 41 of the locking cup 40. Any type of thrustwasher can be used. Lubrication of the washer 46 helps to prevent fibersizing from drying and sticking to the washer surfaces.

A lock ring (collar) 48 surrounds the stub shaft 26 and is rigidlyattached such as by being welded to the stub shaft 26 as with welds 49.The lock ring 48 can be rigidly attached to the stub shaft 26 in anysuitable manner, such as welding, or could even be an integral part ofthe stub shaft 26, but this case the spinner 24 is not integral with thestub shaft 26. The lock ring 48 is attached to the stub shaft 26 suchthat it is contained in and surrounded on its periphery by the lockingcup 40 with a face of the lock ring 48 closest to, but spaced from, aninterior bottom surface 45 of the locking cup 40 and an opposite faceclosest to the locking plate 28. Optionally, but preferably, alubricated thrust washer 50 surrounds the stub shaft 26 and resides inthe space between the interior bottom surface 45 of the lock cup 40 andthe face of the lock ring 48 closest to the interior bottom surface 45of the locking cup 40. The thrust washer 50 is preferably the same typewasher as the thrust washer 46. The purpose of the thrust washers 46 and50 will be described later in the description of the knock on/knock offroll retainer A.

The roll spokes and hub 9 for use with the preferred roll retainer Aillustrated here has a hole 51 centered around its axis and oversizedfor the spindle so that the hole 51 can receive an insert 52. The insert52 is securely attached, preferably by a pressed fit or strong adhesive,to the hub 9 of the roll 8. It is further held in place with recessedbolts 54, or an equivalent, passing through a flange 56 adjacent theinsert 52 and into the hub 9. The outer diameter of the flange 56 islarger than that of the insert 52 whose outer diameter is preferablyjust slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 51 in the hub 9. Theinsert 52 and flange 56 could be an integral part of the hub 9.

The insert 52, including the flange 56, has a hole through it centeredaround its axis. The diameter of the hole is preferably smallest, asinstalled on the chopper 2 and spindle 34, on an outboard side andtapers to a larger diameter on the inboard side to fit a preferredreverse taper on an outboard end of the spindle 34. This taper insures atight fit of the insert 52 onto the spindle 34, but also is what hasmade it necessary to strike the backside of the roll or pry the backupand blade rolls off their spindles. This is not necessary with the knockon/knock off roll retainer of the present invention.

The spindle 34 need not be tapered on the portion that engages the hub 9of the rolls 6,8 or the insert 52, but can be of uniform diameter andcan also have ridges or grooves to engage grooves or ridges in theinsert 52 to insure against slippage. In any case, rolls 6,8 have beendifficult to get loose from the spindle when it is desired to remove therolls 6,8 after they have been in operation chopping for at least a fewhours. The spindle 34 including the outboard end portion 32 has athreaded opening 55 centered around its axis on its outboard end toaccept the threaded stub shaft 26 in a threaded relationship.Preferably, the outer periphery of the outboard end portion 32 of thespindle 34 is surrounded by the flange 56 and or the locking plate 28 asit resides in the opening of the locking plate 28 and/or at least aportion of the flange 56 when the roll 6, 8 and its insert 52 is inplace in the hub 9 on the spindle 34.

Threaded into the flange 56 of the insert 52 from the outboard side areat least one and preferably two, three or more spaced apart shoulderbolts 57 having a threaded portion 58, an unthreaded portion 59 having adiameter of slightly less than the width of the end portion 36 of theslots 29 in the locking plate 28 of the roll retainer A, and a head 60having a diameter larger than the width of the end portion 36 of theslots 29, but smaller than the width of the wide portion 35 of the slots29. The length of the unthreaded portion 59 of the shoulder bolts 57should be slightly greater than the thickness of the locking plate 28.To save time in changing the backup roll 8 and the blade roll 6, it ispreferred that all such rolls be equipped with the insert 52 and theshoulder bolts 57 secured tightly into the flange 56, and into the hub 9if desired, but of course, neither of these preferences or modificationsare necessary to practice the present invention. Also, preferably, butnot necessarily, all of the secured shoulder bolts 57 are spaced apart,preferably equally spaced apart, around a single radius of the axis ofthe opening 30 in the locking plate 28, but obviously differentarrangements will also work so long as the slots 29 in the locking plate28 align with the shoulder bolts 57 when the stub shaft 26 is threadedinto the opening 55 of the spindle 34.

All parts of the roll retainer A, except for the thrust washers 46 and50, are preferably made from a strong material such as a stainless steelthat will not corrode in the hot, wet environment. Many other materialscan also be used such as other metals, alloys and fiber reinforcedplastics.

To use the fast acting roll retainer A of the present invention, a newroll such as a backup roll 8 containing the insert 52 therein and havingpreferably three shoulder bolts 57 secured in the flange 56 is placed onthe spindle 34, preferably in a snug manner. The threaded end of thestub shaft 26 of the roll retainer A is then threaded into the threadedopening 55 of the spindle 34 at least several turns by turning orspinning the spinner 24 and handles 25. Next, the locking plate 28 isrotated with one hand, preferably while holding the handles 25 with theother hand to prevent the stub shaft 26 from rotating, to align the wideportion 35 of the slots 29 with the heads 60 of the shoulder bolts 57,and the stub shaft 26 is rotated into the opening 55 of the spindle 34until at least hand tight using the handles 25. Then, the spinner 24 isbacked off about 5-180 degrees and the locking plate 28 is rotated toseat the end portion 36 of the slots 29 against the unthreaded portion59 of the shoulder bolts 57. Last, the spinner 24 is rotated to tightenthe inboard face 38 of the locking plate 28 against the outboard face ofthe hub 9 and/or the flange 56 on the insert 52, and finally, tightenedby striking one of the handles 25 with a dead blow, such as by strikingit with a lead-headed hammer or a hammer containing heavy pellets in thehead portion. In the final tightening step the lubricated washer 46enhances the relative movement of an inboard face of the spinner 24 tomove while the exterior bottom surface 43 of the locking cup 40 remainsfixed, i.e. does not rotate. The roll 6,8 is now in place and ready tooperate.

When it is time to remove the roll 6 or 8 from the chopper 2, one of thehandles 25 is struck one or more dead blows to start backing the stubshaft 26 out of the hole 55 in the spindle 34. As that happens theoutboard face of the lock ring 48 pushes against the second lubricatedthrust washer 50 which pushes against the interior bottom surface 45 ofthe locking cup 40. Note that the lock ring 48 is fixed to, or integralwith, the stub shaft 26. The thrust washer 50 enhances the relativemovement of the outboard face of the rotating lock ring 48 and thenon-rotating interior bottom surface 45 of the locking cup 40 understress. As the lock cup 40 is pushed in an outboard direction by theaction of backing the stub shaft 26 out of the hole 55, the insert 52and the roll 6,8 is pulled loose from the spindle 34 by the outboardface 37 pushing against the heads 60 of the shoulder bolts 57. Once theinsert 52 has been broken loose on the spindle 34, the spinner 24 isrotated in the other direction a few degrees by hand to loosen thelocking plate 28 with respect to the heads 60 of the shoulder bolts 57.While holding the spinner 24 from rotating, the locking plate 28 isrotated to move the heads 60 into the wide portion 35 of the slots 29and then the spinner 24 is spun with the handles 25 to remove the stubshaft 26 from the opening 55 in the spindle 34 and the roll retainer Ais removed. The roll 6,8 is now ready to be removed and replaced with anew or repaired roll 6,8.

Using the roll retainer A of the present invention, a roll 6,8 on achopper can be changed faster than was the experience with the rollretainer means of the prior art. Large wrenches or compressed air impacttools are not required. Instead only a dead blow hammer or device suchas a lead hammer is needed and this makes the job go faster and easier.Also, since it is not necessary to strike the rolls to loosen them fromthe spindle when it is time to remove a roll, the rolls last longer.With each roll change, the roll retainer of the present invention savesat least about 30 seconds and typically more than that. With two rollsto be changed at each chopper rebuild the time savings are at least oneminute. When this savings is cumulated over the period of a year withthe typical number of choppers used and the typical blade life, theextra production gained is at least 100-186 hours and at least 1,000,000pounds of additional product and at least 1,000,000 pounds of reducedscrap produced. This amounts to substantial marginal profit improvement.

When a different sizing is used causing more or less tackiness on thesurface of the fiber, the angle at which the chopped fiber array leavesthe backup roll 8 changes. This change in angle or direction ofdischarge with different products causes the fiber to sometimes strikethe collecting or transporting device like a conveyor at less than anoptimum location and some fiber misses and either falls on the floor orgets under the belt, the latter causing belt tracking problems and scrapwhich can contaminate the good product. The material falling on thefloor creates a costly housekeeping problem and often ends up as scrap.These conditions are costly and undesirable. Also, when the choppedproduct being produced requires partial or complete drying, it isdesirable to feed the product directly into an entrance to the dryer. Toaccomplish the latter it is necessary to change and adjust the angle ofdischarge of chopped fiber from the chopper.

FIGS. 2 and 2A show a preferred embodiment, B, according to the presentinvention for precisely changing the angle of discharge. Prior artchoppers 2 typically rested on four feet 5 on the floor. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the chopper 2 restsinstead on one or more brackets 22 pivotly attached to one or more legs21 at or near one bottom edge of one side of the chopper 2, which legsare attached to a pedestal 64, and brackets 63 connected to a liftingmechanism B that is also supported by the pedestal 64. This arrangementallows the chopper to be tilted. This arrangement is accomplished withat least one, and preferably two, clevis type brackets 22 spaced apartand attached rigidly to a lower portion of one side of the chopper 2.Each bracket 22 is pivotly attached to one leg 21 with the pin 23. Theleg or legs 21 are attached to the pedestal 64 in any suitable manner.

On the opposite side of the chopper 2 at least one, and preferably twospaced apart, larger clevis type brackets 63 are rigidly attached to alower portion of the opposite side of the chopper, preferably at or nearthe bottom edge. Pivotly attached to each of the brackets 63 is a jack,preferably a screw jack 65. A bottom end of a screw 67 of the screw jack65 is attached in any known pivoting manner, such as with a pivotingbracket 70 attached to the top surface of the pedestal 64. Asemi-spherical depression in the top surface of pedastal with a ball onthe bottom end of screw 67 would also be suitable. The pedestal 64 canbe solid or can be a frame having an open center portion 74 as shown.

Preferably two screw jacks 65 are used and the two are tied togetherwith a drive shaft 69 which is turned with a ratchet tool or hand crank(not shown) at a socket receiver 68. This allows both screw jacks 65 tobe adjusted to the same degree at the same time. A protective guard 72is removably attached to the upstream end 66 of the chopper 2 to protectthe screw jacks 65 and the screws 67 from fiber and sizing that wouldotherwise fall on the these items and interfere with their smoothoperation.

In this embodiment the screw jacks 65 are on an upstream side 66 of thechopper 2 and the legs 21 are on the discharge side 68 of the chopper 2,but the screw jacks 65 could be mounted on the discharge side 68 of thechopper 2 with the legs 21 and brackets 22 being mounted on the upstreamside 66 of the chopper 2 when that configuration is needed to providethe desired result, or the same desired result in a more desirablemanner.

FIG. 2 shows in phantom the chopper 2 tilted by lifting the upstreamside 66 with the screw jacks 65 to cause the angle of discharge ofchopped item 15 to be lowered in a direction closer to the pedestal 64.Also, the chopper 2 can be operated normally in the position shown inphantom. Then the angle of discharge of the chopped items 15 can beraised in a direction away from the pedestal 64 by lowering the upstreamside 66 of the chopper 2, using the screw jacks 65, until the angle ofdischarge of the chopped item 15 is acceptable.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, lifting devices other than the screw jack 65can be used in accordance with the present invention such as a fluidcylinder 73 powered by either a gas like air or a hydraulic fluid, or asimple mechanical jack like an automotive bumper jack 75. Other types oflifting devices can also be used such as one or more overhead winches,chain-falls, fluid cylinders, etc. and off floor lifting devices such asone or more scissor jacks, inflatable bags, etc.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a preferred frame 76 for mounting the chopper 2 uponto tilt the chopper according to the present invention. The frame 76contains a square or rectangular framework 77 having a square orrectangular opening 79 therein in which is pivotly mounted a secondframework 80 on an axle 82 that passes through the framework 77 and intoor through the second framework 80 near one end of the second framework80. The framework 77 and the second framework 80 could be other shapesincluding other polyagonal shapes, U shaped, a circle or oval. Also, thesecond framework can be just two separate members with one end of eachmember attached to an axle 82 and the member attached to the bottom ofthe chopper frame or one member attached to the the chopper front plateand the other member attached to a chopper back plate.

Optional stops 84 can be attached on an opposite end of the secondframework 80 to contact the top of the framework 77 when the top of thesecond framework 80 is level. Brackets 86 are attached in any suitablemanner, preferably to the top of the framework 77, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 7 near where the stops 84 contact the framework 77 forconnecting the bottom ends of the screw 67 of the screw jacks 65 (SeeFIG. 8). The brackets could also obviously be placed on the bottom orone of the sides of the framework 77.

The chopper 2 is preferably attached to the movable framework, 80 in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in any suitable manner which willsecure the chopper in a stable and safe manner. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 7 and 8, threaded holes 83 are placed in at least two sides ofthe second framework 80 for attaching the bottom edges of the chopper 2to the second framework 80. The chopper need not be bolted to the framebut that is preferred. The chopper could simply sit on the secondframework 80 and in such an embodiment, the chopper would be more secureif the top of the second framework 80 had depressions in its top surfacefor chopper feet 5 such as shown in FIG. 1. The frame 76 also has legs78 attached to the framework 77 for setting on the forming room floorand for spacing the bottom of the framework 77 from the floor so that alift truck can get under the frame 76 and chopper 2 to lift and move theframe 76 and chopper 2.

While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 show the chopper attached tothe second framework 80 and legs 78 attached to the first or outerframework 77, it is also workable to reverse this arrangement by placingthe legs on the second framework 80 and attaching the chopper 2 to thefirst or outer framework 77. In this latter configuration the brackets63 would be located inside the chopper cabinet formed by the front plate4, the side plates 66 and 68 and a back plate, and the lifting devices65 would also be inside the chopper 2 cabinet and would rest on the topface of the second framework 80.

FIG. 9 shows in perspective an embodiment that is a modification of theembodiment shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the second framework 80has been modified to make a U-shaped framework 88 to support the chopper2. Since the two legs of the U-shaped framework 88 are bolted to thefront or back plate of the chopper 2 using threaded holes 83 in each ofthe legs of the U-shaped framework 88 as shown, this arrangement workswell. It is also possible to flip the U-shaped framework so that theopen end of the U is at the end of the frame 77 opposite the endsupporting the screw jacks 65. In this latter case the axle 82 passesthrough, or into, an end portion of each leg of the U-shaped framework88.

Using the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and omitting the optional stops 84(FIG. 7) and placing the brackets 63 higher on the chopper, the angle ofdischarge can be raised or lowered with the same embodiment since thefree end of the second framework 80 nearest the screw jacks 65 can beboth raised and/or lowered as the second framework 80 can be loweredthrough the opening 79 to below the first framework 77.

FIG. 10 shows in perspective a still further embodiment which is anothermodification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, theinner frame 80 is replaced with a first chopper support member 89 and asecond chopper member 90. Each of the chopper support members 89, 90 arepivotly mounted or supported by the axle 82 passing into or through eachof the chopper support members 89, 90 near one end. Each of the choppersupport members 89, 90 contain threaded holes 83 for attachment to thefront plate 4 and a back plate (not shown) of the chopper 2.

The preferred embodiments of the invention and other embodiments of theinvention are disclosed above with the broader concept of the invention.It will be obvious to the artisan in the appropriate art thatmodifications other than those disclosed above can be made to achievethe same results in substantially the same manner within the concept ofthe invention, and it is intended that these modifications areencompassed in the following in which we claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chopper for chopping items selected from thegroup consisting of fibers, fiber strand, yarn, string, wire, ribbon,and tape that enter the chopper in an unwound form at a high linearspeed into an array of short lengths, the chopper comprising a bladeroll, a blade roll spindle, a backup roll and a backup roll spindle, theimprovement comprising a fast acting roll retainer on either the bladeroll or the backup roll or both, the roll retainer comprising: a) acylindrical stub shaft having one end portion threaded, b) a lock ringhaving a thickness and two spaced apart parallel surfaces surroundingthe stub shaft and being either integral with the stub shaft or beingrigidly attached to the stub shaft, c) a spinner having one or morehandles, the spinner located at or near an end of the stub shaftopposite the end that is threaded, the spinner being either integralwith the stub shaft or rigidly attached to the stub shaft, d) a lockingcup having a bottom and an open top, the bottom of the locking cuphaving a hole therein and surrounding the stub shaft in a rotatablemanner at a location between the two ends of the stub shaft, the opentop of the locking cup being closest to the threaded end of the stubshaft, e) a locking plate attached to the open end of the locking cup,the locking plate having a hole therethrough for the stub shaft toreside in a rotatable manner, the locking plate having one or more slotopenings at least partially therethrough and spaced from the hole forthe stub shaft, each slot opening having a wide portion and a narrowerportion, one face of the locking plate being compatible with an engagingface on a backup roll or blade roll or both and the area on an oppositeface around the narrower portion of each slot being compatible to engagea bottom surface of an enlarged head of one or more projectionsextending from an outboard surface of said roll, and lifting means on orattached to one end of the chopper for lifting one end of the chopper totilt the chopper and to change an angle of discharge of an array ofchopped product discharged by the chopper.
 2. A chopper for choppingitems selected from the group consisting of fibers, fiber strand, yarn,string, wire, and ribbon, tape that enter the chopper in an unwound format a high linear speed into an array of short lengths, the choppercomprising a blade roll, a blade roll spindle, a backup roll and abackup roll spindle, the improvement comprising a fast acting rollretainer on either the blade roll or the backup roll or both, the rollretainer comprising: a) a cylindrical stub shaft having one end portionthat is threaded, b) a locking ring having a thickness and two spacedapart parallel surfaces surrounding the stub shaft and being eitherintegral with the stub shaft or being rigidly attached to the stubshaft, c) a spinner having one or more handles, the spinner beinglocated at or near an end of the stub shaft opposite the end that isthreaded, the spinner being either integral with the stub shaft orrigidly attached to the stub shaft, d) a locking cup having a bottom andan open top, the bottom of the locking cup having a hole therein andsurrounding the stub shaft in a rotatable manner at a location betweenthe two ends of the stub shaft, the open top of the locking cup beingclosest to the threaded end of the stub shaft, and e) a locking plateattached to the open end of the locking cup, the locking plate having ahole therethrough for the stub shaft to reside in a rotatable manner,the locking plate having one or more slot openings at least partiallytherethrough and spaced from the hole for the stub shaft, each slotopening having a wide portion and a narrower portion, one face of thelocking plate being compatible with an engaging face on a backup roll orblade roll or both and the area on an opposite face around the narrowerportion of each slot being compatible to engage a bottom surface of anenlarged head of one or more projections extending from an outboardsurface of said roll.
 3. The chopper of claim 2 wherein the rollretainer also comprises a thrust washer surrounding the stub shaft in arotatable manner between the spinner and an exterior bottom of thelocking cup.
 4. The chopper of claim 2 wherein the roll retainer alsocomprises a thrust washer in the locking cup surrounding the stub shaftin a rotatable manner between an interior bottom of the locking cup andthe lock ring.
 5. The chopper of claim 3 wherein the roll retainer alsocomprises a thrust washer in the locking cup surrounding the stub shaftin a rotatable manner between an interior bottom of the locking cup andthe lock ring.
 6. The chopper of claim 5 wherein the locking platecontains at least two slots whose axis is a radius of the axis of thestub shaft and that are equally spaced from each other and from an axisof the stub shaft.
 7. The chopper of claim 6 wherein the locking platecontains at least three of said slots.
 8. A fast acting retainer forretaining an item or items onto a spindle having threads in an outer endportion comprising: a) a cylindrical stub shaft having one end portionthat is threaded, b) a lock ring having a thickness and two spaced apartparallel surfaces surrounding the stub shaft and being either integralwith the stub shaft or being rigidly attached to the stub shaft, c) aspinner having one or more handles, the spinner located at or near anend of the stub shaft opposite the end that is threaded, the spinnerbeing either integral with the stub shaft or rigidly attached to thestub shaft, d) a locking cup having a bottom and an open top, the bottomof the locking cup having a hole therein and surrounding the stub shaftin a rotatable manner at a location between the two ends of the stubshaft, the open top of the locking cup being closest to the threaded endof the stub shaft, e) a locking plate attached to the open end of thelocking cup, the locking plate having a hole therethrough for the stubshaft to reside in a rotatable manner, the locking plate having one ormore slot openings at least partially therethrough and spaced from thehole for the stub shaft, each slot opening having a wide portion and anarrower portion, one face of the locking plate being compatible with anengaging face on the item or items and the area on an opposite facearound the narrower portion of each slot being compatible to engage abottom surface of an enlarged head of one or more projections extendingfrom an outboard surface of the item or items.
 9. The retainer of claim8 wherein the retainer also comprises a thrust washer surrounding thestub shaft in a rotatable manner between the spinner and an exteriorbottom of the locking cup.
 10. The retainer of claim 8 wherein theretainer also comprises a thrust washer in the locking cup surroundingthe stub shaft in a rotatable manner between an interior bottom of thelocking cup and the lock ring.
 11. The retainer of claim 9 wherein theretainer also comprises a thrust washer in the locking cup surroundingthe stub shaft in a rotatable manner between an interior bottom of thelocking cup and the lock ring.
 12. The retainer of claim 8 wherein thelocking plate contains at least two slots whose axis is a radius of theaxis of the stub shaft and that are equally spaced from each other andfrom an axis of the stub shaft.
 13. The retainer of claim 12 wherein thelocking plate contains at least three of said slots.